Latest Event Preview Posts

’Hayden James – Something About You’

’Snakadaktal – Fall Underneath (Hayden James remix)’

’Hayden James – Embrace’

Treasure Island 2016: 12 Must See Acts — SF 10/15-16 [Festival Preview]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 12, 2016

If you’ve been following The Music Ninja over the last few years, you already know that Treasure Island Music Festival reigns atop our list of best music events in the Bay Area. Rounding out peak festival season, TIMF consistently avoids the repetitive lineups that plague competitors while offering an ideal environment for attendees worn out from over-crowded events. 2016 is an important year for the festival marking both its 10th anniversary and final year taking place on Treasure Island itself as a result of upcoming real estate development. Thankfully it will not be the end altogether for the SF staple, which will be relocating to a TBD destination come 2017 (the SF Chronicle even has a poll where you can vote on where it should be).

With those milestones in mind, Noise Pop have stepped up their already fantastic curation bringing what may be our favorite lineup to date. Our best advice would be to catch as many artists as the schedule permits, be prepared for the rain and stop by the Silent Disco. Although we know and love pretty much every artist on this weekend’s bill, we’ve curated our top picks for each day below. Hope to see some of you Ninjas on the island! Continue reading →

Event Preview

[Event Preview] Phantogram w/ The Range – 10/12 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO

Posted by Matthew Bloss - October 11, 2016

2016 has been a giant, defining year for both Phantogram -the shape-shifting pop duo comprised of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, and Brooklyn based genre-eschewing producer James Hinton, better known as The Range. Both acts have jumped out of the gates with strong album entries to their name: Phantogram’s Three and The Range’s Potential, and on the heels of those worthy LP’s they’ve just kicked off a joint North American to pace the Fall season. Tomorrow night in Denver, at one of the city’s most notable and storied venues, Phantogram and The Range bring their opposing yet suitable sonic aesthetics to the Fillmore Auditorium for the tour’s second stop, and our Ninja feathers are rather ruffled with anticipation.

While Phantogram have for years layed their stamp as perhaps the most notable U.S. electro-pop darlings turned mega stars; it is The Range that has our interest thoroughly piqued. The aforementioned Potential, is a journey in textures and sounds, carefully steeped in history and samples. Relatively new to the landscape of exciting producers, The Range and its LP counterpart Potential carry with them a lush, weighty backbone and the kind of genre splicing usually reserved for more seasoned producers with decades invested in the game. After a couple of listens it starts to become pretty clear why we’ve been hearing terms like “digital archaeologist” get thrown around when describing The Range’s sound. Needless to say, we’re rather prepped for this one tomorrow night, and to get the ball rolling, we’ve put together a mini playlist below highlighting some of our favorite cuts from both artists. Tickets to the show can be found here, and a complete list of Phantogram and The Range’s tour dates can be found here.

’Phantogram – You Dont Get Me High Anymore’

’The Range – Florida’

’The Range – Naught’

’Phantogram – When I’m Small’

’The Range – Copper Wire’

[Denver Event Preview/Ticket Giveaway] TMN Presents: Dance Yourself Clean – ‘An Indie-Pop Dance Party’

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 28, 2016

It’s that time again Denver! The amazing Seattle/L.A. club night turned nationally touring dance party, Dance Yourself Clean, is touching down again this Saturday, October 1st at the Larimer Lounge, as part of their Fall ’16 tour,and we’re beyond prepped & stoked for yet another raucous night of depravity, beautiful people and plenty of amazing tunes. For our friends that were out for DYC’s first ever Denver stop earlier this Spring at the Marquis Theater, they can surely attest to the truly positive, palpably sweaty, and infectiously frenetic energy generated by the foggy, laser-filled indie-pop party. Bringing back the indie-dance-punk-pop days with a beautiful vengeance, DYC patrons are typically seen singing along on the dance floor, slow dancing to the latest Blood Orange or jumping up and down to their favorite LCD Soundsystem song. In their own words: “Anything goes at Dance Yourself Clean, all we ask is that you leave your expectations and inhibitions at the door, come in take a shot and get on the floor.” That sounds just about right, and we are chomping at the bit to be a part of the latest Dance Yourself Clean festivities.

So, in great anticipation for DYC’s latest Denver iteration, we’ve teamed up with the DYC crew and put together quite the tasteful little playlist in anticipation of Saturday’s party. Not to mention! We will be giving away not one but TWO pairs of tickets, simply by clicking on the header of this post, and commenting with your favorite indie-pop track that you think should receive a rinse at Dance Yourself Clean. That’s it! And for those Ninjas who’d rather not try their luck and just want to have their tickets in hand, you can pick them up for just $12.00 here, and more event info can be found here as well.

There are a few rules, of course:
– The event is 21+ S, be of age, and be sure to tell all of your friends to increase chance of winning!
– You are responsible for your own transportation.
– You must bring a valid form of ID to pick up your tickets at the Larimer Lounge door.

Check out our preview playlist featuring selections from some of the artists listed, start commenting below, and best of luck ninjas!

’LCD Soundsystem – Dance Yrself Clean (Radio Version)’

’MØ – Pilgrim’

’Cut Copy – Need You Now’

’Holy Ghost – Do It Again’

’Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars (Club Mix)’

’Robyn – Dancing On My Own’

’Neon Indian – Polish Girl’

’Twin Shadow – Five Seconds’

’RAC ft. Matthew Koma – Cheap Sunglasses’

’Little Dragon – Ritual Union’

[Festival Preview] CRSSD Returns & Releases BitTorrent Content Bundle

Posted by Ivan Chung - September 16, 2016

On October 1 and 2, the best music festival in San Diego is returning to the Waterfront Park for the fourth time. Can’t believe it’s been two full years since CRSSD Fest made its debut. This year’s lineup features a handful of returners, as well as some of the hottest electronic artists in the game right now.

Headlining this year’s festival, we have Sweden’s very own Miike Snow, who made an epic comeback following their new album. ZHU, who is absolutely crushing it with his new album Generationwhy, and will be bringing sexy back as he’s making his second appearance at CRSSD. Also Lido, who is making waves with a series of album teasers following a live album debut at Coachella. We are almost certain that he will play unreleased material off his new album, which will come out a few days after CRSSD. We simply can’t contain our excitement as artists like Ta-Ku, Louis The Child, Malaa, REZZ, MNEK and FKJ are all making their first debut. It’s safe to say this year’s lineup is the best to date – it’s house music galore and then some.

Continue reading →

[Denver Event Preview] Corona Electric Beach w/ Thomas Jack, JLEET, Lost Empire, option4 & KEEZ – 8/13

Posted by Matthew Bloss - August 8, 2016

If there’s one great thing about Summer, it’s the seemingly endless supply of craftily curated pool, daytime & rooftop parties. Of course, there are plenty of not-so-tastefully created parties, but we’re not here to talk about those. We’re here to highlight Corona Electric Beach‘s (which has held events in Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami and more) foray into the Mile High City of Denver, CO this Saturday from 2 – 8 p.m., which is armed to the teeth with quality artists. Headlining the bill is TMN favorite and international trop-house superstar Thomas Jack, who will no doubt look to wrap things up quite boisterously, while attracting more than a few Hawaiian shirts in the process. Most recently, the Australian wunderkind dropped the collaboratively anthemic house single “Rise Up” with Jasmine Thompson and is riding high on the heels of that one, so once again we’re getting geared up for another fun set from the global phenom of all things tropical.

Rounding out the rest of the bill are a slew of our favorite up and coming producers & DJ’s. Denver’s own option4, who has held down an artist residency with us while becoming one of underground dance music’s favorite personalities as well. The proper house artiste has released on some of House music’s biggest labels including Nurvous, Sweat It Out! and Ninja Tune, and looks to be a brilliant way to get things going. Rounding out the rest of support at Denver’s Lincoln Street Station will be opening acts Lost Empire, JLEET, and KEEZ. Check out our preview playlist below, get ready bask in some Summertime debauchery, crack a few Coronas, and revel in six hours of beats from some of electronic music’s finest. Corona Electric Beach’s Denver event is 21+, and will be free with an RSVP e-mail to info@findyourelectricbeach.com. We’ll see our favorite Denverites this Saturday!

’Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Thomas Jack Remix)’

’Autograf – Future Soup ft. Patrick Baker (option4 Remix)’

’Luminary – Amsterdam (Lost Empire’s Calling to You Rework)’

’Alt J – Something Good (Thomas Jack Edit)’

’option4 – DOAUK (Club Sweat)’

Outside Lands 2016: 13 Acts To Catch Before 4 [Event Preview]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - August 3, 2016

As Outside Lands approaches every year, there’s a unique buzz around San Francisco. Between those frantically searching for tickets, hashing out set conflicts, proclaiming excitement or proudly boycotting, the City’s biggest festival is on locals’ minds this week. For the last 5 years we’ve watched Another Planet Entertainment’s crown jewel grow along a similar trajectory as the Bay Area–rapidly rising in popularity (and price). Even with the ever-changing landscape that surrounds it, Outside Lands maintains a dedication to quality music, comedy and food in 2016. The lineup sticks to the tried and true formula of local / up ‘n coming acts, the years’ current headliners and a rare performance from a star of the past.

While we’d be happy to harp some more on how awesome Anderson .Paak, Rufus Du Sol or LCD Soundsystem are, we thought we’d take this opportunity to introduce all our Bay Area Ninjas to some acts they might fall in love with for the first time this weekend at Outside Lands. We know how hard it is to get your crew moving, particularly in SF, but we think these artists make accelerating your pre-game well worth it. Hope to catch some of you Ninjas out in Hellman Hollow!

Day 1

Make It Funky DJs (Heineken House, 12-1:30PM)
For the most prompt attendees, we’d recommend kicking off your weekend at the Heineken House with our friends from Make It Funky. Over the last 3 years, the DJ collective have established themselves as a staple of San Francisco nightlife. If you haven’t yet been to one of their events, their set in the Heineken House should serve as the perfect introduction to their funk/disco vibes and get you dancing from the jump. – Ash

Marian Hill (Twin Peaks, 12:45-1:30)

’Marian Hill – One Time’

Stream Only

Marian Hill is the cleverly titled Philly-based band consisting of Jeremy Lloyd and Samantha Gongol. While they haven’t been on the scene long, the band makes up for short-term fame in their long-term chemistry – having performed together since middle school. Since gaining notoriety behind the catchy “One Time” in early 2014, Marian Hill has been putting together jazzy-electronic tracks at a solid pace. Their debut album, ACT ONE, is out now and well worth a listen. – Dom P.

Wet (Sutro, 2:30-3:20)

’Wet – It’s All in Vain’

While riding the wave to fame behind a hipster following, Wet has taken the back roads to success, allowing their vast internet following to shower them with (well deserving) praise behind early bedroom productions. Since putting out the 2013 melodic “I Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl”, the Wet trio has signed to a major label and toured nationally. Recently reemerged from their production studio in the wooded thickets of Hadley, Massachusetts, Wet dropped their debut album Don’t You and will be certainly gaining even more followers after their OSL performance. – Dom P.

Vulfpeck (Panhandle, 2:55-3:35)

’Vulfpeck – Back Pocket’